Legal and anti-legal nature of State coercion and violence

About the author:

Vadim V. Antonchenko, Cand. Sci. ( Jur.), Associate Prodessor, Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities and Socio–Economic Disciplines, Far Eastern Fire and Rescue Academy, Branch of Saint Petersburg University of State Fire Service of EMERCOM of Russia, Vladivostok, Russia; antovadim@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0319-562X

Abstract:

The article examines the role of law as a regulator of social relations, which is based on the possibility of legitimate state coercion. The aim of the study is to identify the main characteristics of legitimate coercion, shaped by different political systems, and their impact on societal well-being and security. The subject of the research is an analysis of the properties of legitimate coercion in states with democratic and undemocratic political regimes. To achieve this goal, the author uses axiological and dialectical methods, alongside systematic and humanistic approaches to understanding socio–legal phenomena. The results show that state coercive measures in democratic and non-democratic states, while sharing core similarities, differ in their goals and implementation. In democracies, legitimate state coercion protects the rule of law and social values framed through human and civil rights. In non-democracies, it may escalate into violence: a tool employed to preserve existing power structures by political elites. The degree of democracy in any political system is context-dependent and must be evaluated alongside: (1) the actual rule of law, (2) incorporation of natural law principles (freedom, equality, justice) in legislation and criminal policy, and (3) compliance with legal norms by all actors – especially those empowered to enforce coercion. The study concludes that adopting democratic enables states to develop more rational public administration systems, including coercive mechanisms, that ensure citizen welfare and security in line with modern societal ideals. Progressive development requires rejecting violence as an anti-legal form of coercion incompatible with constitutional governance.

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